Flexible metallic coupling.



J`. R. ALEXANDER. FLEXIBLE METALLIC COUPLING. APPLICATION PI'LED JAN.22','1912.

Patntea s911122, 1911 [NVE/V701? JOHN RALEXA NDE R WJTNESSES n llarney '7?'. e-e/ UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOI-IN R. ALEXANDER, OF ALTOONA, PENNSYLVANIA.v

FLEXIBLE METALLIC COUPLING.

Application filed January 22, 1912.

To all Awhom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, Jorn R. ALEXANDER, a.citien of the United States, 'residing at Altoona, inthe county of Blair and 'Stat-e of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flexible Met-allic Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

This'invention relates to the subject of Hexible metallic' couplings, designed'to be used in connection with fluid, gas, steam or air pipes of a train of cars, or lnanufactun.

It will be readily understood that this flexible metallic coupling, audits appurtenances assocated therewith, is readily adapted to all the usesthat the usual hose cou` plings are designed to serve, and to substitute the metallic form for the usual hose form is but a mattei' of e'ecting a connec- It will be quite readily understood that the invention vis naturally susceptible to a wide range of structural modification, without departing fromthe scope or spirit of the invention, but a preferred and practical em bodiment thereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1, is a cross-sectional view of onev of the couplings used in connection with my invention, showing particularly the arrangement of automatic nipple stop, associated 1ntegral withthe nipple. Fig. 2, is 'a front and edge View of the combined two diamey ter ring and collar seat.- Fig. 3, 1s a sec- Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 22, 1914.

Serial No. 672,622.

tional View, together with an end View of the externally threaded gland, used in connection with this invention. Fig. 4, is a cross-sectional view of the elbow construction used in connection with this invention.-

Fig. 5, is an end elevation of the elbow, shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

Like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

In carr ing out the present invention, when app. ied to the air brake system of a train of'cars, no change is contemplated Yin the usual -form of air piping, either on the locomotive, tender,y or/ car in a train of cars, Abut instead of the usual rubber hose between the various units of a train, the present invention is of special use in an allmetallic coupling,` adapted to be interchangeable with the usual air brake hose.l

lTo provide for the various movements, which. a vmetallic vhose coupling of this character is necessarily susceptible under service conditions, the joint 11 is provided with a plurality of swivel members 12, each having a collar 13 adapted to be engaged by a seat 14, which is made integral with the 4two diameter .'ring designated in its entirety by the numeral 15. The two diameter ring 15, consists essentially of an externally threaded portion 16,' adapted to engage'the internal threaded portion 17 of thecasing 18, an angularly disposed face 19, adapted to act as an abutment for the -packing and force the same down on the surface 20, of the nipple .12, and4 an abutment ledge 21 adapted t'o engage a corresponding ledge 22, in the casing 18. The ring 1,5, is preferably-tinish'edall over, and likewise its abutting surfaces'in the casing, thus insuring a positive locking means which vtends to. keep the gland in place unaffected by the rotation of the collar 13 on its seat.l The casing 18, is further provided with an externally threaded gland 23, having an angularly disposedl inner face 24, which when cooperating ,with the angularl disposed face 19, serves to force the pac ing down on the external surface of the nipple, thus preventing, in a very practical way,the escape of pressure fluid, should the same escape between the collar and its seat, as' already pointed out.

For the purpose of screwing the glands into position,the inner one 15, is provided with a notch 25, which is adapted to receive a tool for screwing the same into position. The outer gland is provided with a hexagonal portion 26, adapted to receive a wrench for screwing the same into position.

For the specific purpose of keeping the nipple l2 from passing too'far into the casing, when assembling, or when in service, there is provided upon each nipple, a collar, the inner end of which is provided with an angularly disposed surface 27. WhenV the various parts are assembled, a clearance space 28 is preferably provided between the two abutting surfaces of the collars, thus insuring perfect freedom of movement, while at the same time perfectly tight joints.

After having threaded the glands, internally threaded the casing, and finished the various parts and surfaces to size, the assembling may be accomplished as follows :-The combined two-diameter ring and gland 15, is placed over the shank of thc nipple l2, and with a tool engaging the notch 25,.the same is screwed into position, or until the shoulder 21 firmly abuts upon the ledge 22 in the casing. The nipple l2 is then drawn back into position, or until the collar 13 abuts upon the surface 14, of the two-diameter ring 15. Havingthus first positioned the first nipple, together with its appurtenances, the second is positioned in the same manner.

Having thusdescribed my invention, and believing the same can readily be understood, without further elaboration, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is; v

A joint for iexible metallic couplings comprising an elbowv casing having angularly related interiorly threaded necks and within said necks being provided with interior annular abutment seats, swivel pipe members loosely arranged within 'the angularly related necks and provided at their inner end portions with annular shoulders and with relatively broad beveled bearing faces, the said beveled bearing faces of the separate swivel pipe members being arranged in engaging relation, a collar element litted into each lneck and arrangedto engage the annular shoulder of the swivel member therein, and an outer packing gland threaded at the outer end portion of each neck.

In testimony whereof I ax my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOI-IN R. ALEXANDER.

Witnesses:

N. E. GEE, J. T. HANLON. 

